System of a Down (album) explained

System of a Down
Type:studio
Artist:System of a Down
Cover:system_of_a_down.jpg
Genre:
Length:40:36
Label:
Producer:
  • Rick Rubin
  • System of a Down
Next Title:Toxicity
Next Year:2001

System of a Down is the debut studio album by the American heavy metal band System of a Down, released on June 30, 1998, by American Recordings and Columbia Records. The album was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America in February 2000. After the success of the band's following album, Toxicity (2001), System of a Down was certified platinum and has since gone double platinum.[3]

Composition

The album is generally considered nu metal and alternative metal, both of which would become staples for the band. Lyrical themes throughout the album vary, with many songs following a theme of being anti-war, but also has topics of genocide, religion, and brainwashing. "Suite-Pee" is a criticism of pedophilia within the Church and religious extremism.[4] "Soil" is, according to guitarist Daron Malakian at a Lowlands show, "about death, and friends that die, and life that dies". "Mind" talks about government mind control, specifically mentioning CIA brainwashing in the album's liner notes. "P.L.U.C.K." is a song dedicated to the victims of the Armenian genocide, and is meant to be a criticism and denouncing of the Turkish Government.

Artwork

The cover artwork is from a 1928 anti-fascist poster designed by visual artist John Heartfield for the Communist Party of Germany.[3] The text on the original poster is: "A hand has 5 fingers! With these 5 grab the enemy!"[5] This slogan inspired part of the text contained on the back of the album: "The hand has five fingers, capable and powerful, with the ability to destroy as well as create". Later, it is written in bold letters: "Open your eyes, open your mouths, close your hands and make a fist" (used later by Serj Tankian in the song "Uneducated Democracy").

Reception

System of a Down received acclaim from music critics.[6] Q called it "an excellent starting point for this most curious band".

The album is featured in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.[7] Loudwire included the album in its list of The Best Metal Debut Albums, at number 22.[8]

Track listing

Original release

All lyrics written by Serj Tankian, except where noted. All music written by Daron Malakian, except where noted.

Limited edition bonus CD

Personnel

System of a Down

Production

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Chart (1998)!scope="col"
Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[12] 48
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[13] 68
UK Albums (OCC)[14] 103
US Billboard 200[15] 124
US Top Heatseekers (Billboard)[16] 1
Chart (2018)Peak
position
Top Alternative Albums (Billboard)[18] 9
Top Hard Rock Albums (Billboard)[19] 7
Tastemaker Albums (Billboard)[20] 19
Vinyl Albums (Billboard)[21] 10
YearTitleChartPeak
position
1999"Sugar"Mainstream Rock Tracks[24] 28
Modern Rock Tracks[25] 31
2000"Spiders"Mainstream Rock Tracks25
Modern Rock Tracks38

Year-end charts

Chart (2002)! scope="col"
Position
Canadian Albums (Nielsen SoundScan)[26] 180
Canadian Alternative Albums (Nielsen SoundScan)[27] 58
Canadian Metal Albums (Nielsen SoundScan)[28] 28

Sales and certifications

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Burgess. Aaron. 10 Nu-Metal Albums You Need to Own. Revolvermag. NewBay Media. July 21, 2015. September 9, 2014. Technically spotless, wildly eclectic, and out-outspokenly, er, Armenian, System of a Down's 1998 self-titled debut turned more nu-metal on its ear; and with this darker and more streamlined follow-up, the band proved that it was more than just a novelty–though spastic lead single "Chop Suey" is still one of the most awesomely bizarre songs to ever get repeated play on the radio.. August 6, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170806213337/http://www.revolvermag.com/news/10-nu-metal-albums-you-need-to-own.html#slide-3. live.
  2. Web site: The 50 best nu metal albums of all time. April 2022. June 17, 2022. April 4, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220404175335/https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-50-best-nu-metal-albums-of-all-time. live.
  3. Web site: 17 Years Ago: System of a Down Release Self-Titled Debut Album . Loudwire.com . May 9, 2016 . July 3, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160703131420/http://loudwire.com/system-of-a-down-self-titled-album-anniversary/ . live .
  4. Web site: System of a Down's Daron Malakian Dishes on Politics and Religion. Loudwire. May 3, 2021. May 3, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210503133003/https://loudwire.com/system-of-a-down-daron-malakian-dishes-on-politics-and-religion/. live.
  5. Web site: John Heartfield Poster - Five Fingers Has The Hand . Johnheartfield.com . May 9, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160815081832/http://www.johnheartfield.com/John-Heartfield-Exhibition/john-heartfield-art/political-art-posters/heartfield-posters-fahne/heartfield-five-fingers . August 15, 2016 . dead .
  6. Web site: System of a Down: Armenian Metal Proprietors . Musiclegendtrend.com . March 12, 2013 . May 10, 2016 . June 17, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160617010142/http://www.musiclegendtrend.com/system-of-a-down-armenian-metal-proprietors/ . dead .
  7. Book: Robert Dimery. Michael Lydon. 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die: Revised and Updated Edition. March 23, 2010. Universe. 978-0-7893-2074-2.
  8. Web site: No. 22: System of a Down, 'System of a Down' – Best Debut Metal Albums. Graham. Hartmann. Loudwire. January 8, 2019. June 27, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180627091053/http://loudwire.com/system-of-a-down-system-of-a-down-best-debut-metal-albums/. live.
  9. News: Moss . Corey . SYSTEM OF A DOWN TO RELEASE TOXICITY OUTTAKES . 26 April 2022 . MTV . MTV News . June 21, 2002 . April 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220426172910/https://www.mtv.com/news/1455350/system-of-a-down-to-release-toxicity-outtakes/ . dead .
  10. Web site: r/systemofadown - Honey and Temper Re-Recorded versions on Limewire?. Reddit. August 5, 2017. January 8, 2019. March 23, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230323120022/https://www.reddit.com/r/systemofadown/comments/6rtqqm/comment/dlkhgqi/. live.
  11. Web site: ACE Repertory. www.ascap.com. February 28, 2019. May 4, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200504145155/https://www.ascap.com/repertory#ace/works/publisher/423440/DDEVIL+MUSIC. live.
  12. Web site: System Of A Down - System Of A Down. Hung Medien. October 30, 2021. October 30, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211030150759/https://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=System+Of+A+Down&titel=System+Of+A+Down&cat=a. live.
  13. Web site: System Of A Down - System Of A Down. Hung Medien. nl. October 30, 2021. October 30, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211030150758/https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=System+Of+A+Down&titel=System+Of+A+Down&cat=a. live.
  14. Web site: Tobias. Zywietz. Chart Log UK: DJ S – The System Of Life. Zobbel. October 30, 2021. December 17, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20091217041536/http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/CLUK_S.HTM. live.
  15. Web site: System of a down Chart History (Billboard 200). Billboard. October 30, 2021. November 17, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211117144754/https://www.billboard.com/artist/system-of-a-down/chart-history/tlp/. live.
  16. Web site: System of a down Chart History (Heatseekers Albums). Billboard. October 30, 2021. March 5, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230305215458/https://www.billboard.com/artist/system-of-a-down/chart-history/tln/. live.
  17. System of a Down Chart History - Catalog Albums . Billboard . 23 January 2023 . November 20, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211120190312/https://www.billboard.com/artist/system-of-a-down/chart-history/tlp/ . live .
  18. System of a Down Chart History - Top Alternative Albums . Billboard . 23 January 2023 . November 20, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211120190312/https://www.billboard.com/artist/system-of-a-down/chart-history/tlp/ . live .
  19. System of a Down Chart History - Top Hard Rock Albums . Billboard . 23 January 2023 . November 20, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211120190312/https://www.billboard.com/artist/system-of-a-down/chart-history/tlp/ . live .
  20. System of a Down Chart History - Tastemaker Albums . Billboard . 23 January 2023 . November 20, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211120190312/https://www.billboard.com/artist/system-of-a-down/chart-history/tlp/ . live .
  21. System of a Down Chart History - Vinyl Albums . Billboard . 23 January 2023 . November 20, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211120190312/https://www.billboard.com/artist/system-of-a-down/chart-history/tlp/ . live .
  22. System of a Down Chart History - Top Rock . Billboard . 23 January 2023 . November 20, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211120190312/https://www.billboard.com/artist/system-of-a-down/chart-history/tlp/ . live .
  23. Web site: System of a down Chart History (Billboard 200). Billboard. October 30, 2021. November 17, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211117144754/https://www.billboard.com/artist/system-of-a-down/chart-history/tlp/. live.
  24. Web site: System of a down Chart History (Mainstream Rock Airplay). Billboard. October 30, 2021. November 17, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211117145913/https://www.billboard.com/artist/system-of-a-down/chart-history/rtt/. live.
  25. Web site: System of a down Chart History (Alternative Airplay). Billboard. October 30, 2021. November 17, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211117152218/https://www.billboard.com/artist/system-of-a-down/chart-history/mrt/. live.
  26. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20040906184132/http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/200-2_2002.html. September 6, 2004. Top 200 Albums of 2002 (based on sales). Jam!. March 23, 2022.
  27. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20031204012816/http://jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/2002_alt.html. December 4, 2003. Canada's Top 200 Alternative albums of 2002. Jam!. March 26, 2022.
  28. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20040812035533/http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/2002_metal.html. August 12, 2004. Top 100 Metal Albums of 2002. Jam!. March 23, 2022.

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